Geely enters the Italian market, testing the waters with two models of electric and hybrid SUVs
Geely Auto Holdings has entered the Italian market for the first time with its namesake brand, planning to collaborate with Saudi Arabia's dealer Jameel Motors to launch two SUV models in the fourth quarter: the all-electric EX5 and a super hybrid plug-in hybrid model
Geely Automobile Holdings Limited will enter the Italian market for the first time with its namesake brand, planning to launch two SUV models in the fourth quarter, marking a further acceleration of Chinese automakers' expansion in Europe.
According to a statement released by Geely on Thursday, the company has partnered with Saudi Arabia's Jameel Motors to launch two SUV models in Italy in the fourth quarter: the all-electric EX5 and a super hybrid plug-in hybrid model.
This move expands Geely's business footprint in one of Europe's largest automotive markets. Although the Italian electric vehicle market is showing growth trends, its penetration remains relatively low. According to data from the Italian Automobile Industry Association (Unrae), pure electric vehicles accounted for only 6% of the market share in June, indicating significant growth potential.
Jameel is part of Abdul Latif Jameel's privately held enterprise, aiming to establish a dealer network with approximately 100 sales and service points in Italy.
Geely is Catching Up in the European Electric Vehicle Market
Chinese automakers, led by BYD, have rapidly grown in Europe in recent years, primarily focusing on pure electric and hybrid models.
In contrast, Geely and its Chinese brands have lagged in the European electric vehicle market. Geely's entry into the Italian market is an important step in catching up with competitors and establishing a foothold in the European electric vehicle market.
According to JATO Dynamics, last month, Chinese automakers registered 65,808 new vehicles, accounting for 5.9% of total sales in the region. This means that the market share of Chinese automotive brands has more than doubled compared to 2.9% in the same period in 2024.
Felipe Munoz, a global analyst at JATO Dynamics, stated:
Chinese automotive brands continue to maintain strong growth across Europe. Part of this growth momentum stems from their decision to promote alternative power systems such as plug-in hybrid and pure hybrid vehicles in the region
